معرفی
Prof. Cynthia Chapman is the Adelia A. F. Johnston and Harry Thomas Frank Professor of Religion and Chair of the Jewish Studies Program Committee at Oberlin College, where she has taught biblical studies for eighteen years.
Dr. Chapman's research focuses on Biblical Hebrew narrative and poetry, with particular emphasis on maternal kinship structures, gender studies in biblical contexts, and the social functions of kinship categories in ancient Israel. Her work explores how food-based kinship and maternally specific kinship categories evolved during the post-exilic period, documenting the origins of defining Jewishness through the mother.
Her scholarly publications reveal a consistent focus on gender, kinship, and social structures within biblical narratives. Chapman's work bridges literary analysis with historical and anthropological approaches to biblical texts, particularly examining how concepts of family and belonging are constructed in ancient Israelite society.
Her scientific recognition includes the prestigious Adelia A. F. Johnston and Harry Thomas Frank Professorship. She has served as co-editor with Michael D. Coogan on multiple editions of Oxford University Press publications and has produced educational content for the Teaching Company's Great Courses series.
As Chair of the Jewish Studies Program Committee, Dr. Chapman oversees academic programming and curriculum development in Jewish studies at Oberlin College. Her current research traces the growing importance of maternally specific kinship categories during the post-exilic period to document the origins of defining Jewishness through the mother.
